Latest news with #Pseudomonas
The Herald Scotland
06-07-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
New threat to marine life discovered: sunscreen meeting plastic
Scientists at the University of Stirling led by Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget carried out the analysis, which is the first to study co-pollution – where plastics in the sea act as carriers for other chemical contaminants, including ultraviolet (UV) filters from sunscreen. Now, Dr Matallana-Surget, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is appealing to policymakers to take urgent action to tackle what she calls the invisible threat of sunscreen. She said: 'These changes matter. By suppressing the aerobic bacteria that help degrade plastic, and selecting those that stabilise or reinforce the biofilm, UV filters would prolong the life of plastics in the ocean – making them more resistant to breakdown by sunlight or microbes. 'Targeted research and policy interventions are therefore urgently needed to mitigate these compounded ecological threats.' Read More: Plastic waste in the ocean provides a new surface where microbes can grow, forming slimy layers called the plastisphere. As well as forming the plastisphere, plastics also absorb other pollutants, including sunscreens washed off human skin that are insoluble in water, and these can then attach to marine plastic surfaces. Sunscreens, like oil, are hydrophobic – meaning that they do not dissolve in water. This makes them a combined threat, as they can accumulate on plastics and remain in the environment. Scientists have previously studied the role of the plastisphere, but little is known about how additional chemicals such as EHMC affect the microbes living on the plastic. The new study, published today, shows that when plastics are co-contaminated with EHMC, not only do pollutant-degrading bacteria like Marinomonas decline, but bacteria like Pseudomonas develop more proteins that stabilise biofilms and improve their ability to survive. Pseudomonas includes species known for being resilient in polluted environments and for their ability to break down a wide range of contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. However, some Pseudomonas strains are also classified as opportunistic pathogens, capable of causing serious infections that can require antibiotic treatment – raising potential public health concerns that researchers hope will be further investigated. One key finding of the study is the much higher level of a protein called outer membrane porin F (OprF) in Pseudomonas that was exposed to EHMC. This protein plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of biofilms, protective layers that help bacteria survive hostile environments. Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget (Image: University of Stirling)Researchers also observed a shift toward anaerobic respiration – where cells can generate energy in the absence of oxygen – revealing a complete shift in the microbial metabolism within the plastisphere. The research shows that EHMC could hinder the development of useful aerobic bacteria that help break down plastic pollutants at an early stage, by favouring more stress-tolerant anaerobic biofilm-forming bacteria. Dr Matallana-Surget added: 'The UV-protective properties of EHMC, combined with its suppression of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, may indirectly protect plastics from photodegradation and biodegradation, further contributing to their persistence in marine environments. 'This impact, combined with the enrichment of potentially pathogenic bacteria, raises significant concerns for ecosystem stability and human health, particularly in coastal regions with high rates of tourism, and high levels of plastic pollution.' The paper, The Invisible Threats of Sunscreen as a Plastic Co-Pollutant: Impact of a Common Organic UV Filter on Biofilm Formation and Metabolic Function in the Nascent Marine Plastisphere, is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. Dr Matallana-Surget led the research in collaboration with Dr Charlotte Lee – who undertook the core experimental work – and Dr Lauren Messer at the University of Stirling, alongside Professor Ruddy Wattiez at the University of Mons in Belgium. The project, which stemmed from Dr Matallana-Surget's initial concept of investigating the emerging double pollution issue, has built on 15 years of joint work between the teams in Stirling and Mons. Research was funded by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the National Research Foundation Singapore. It was further supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Walloon Region, Belgium. It builds on previous research published last year by Dr Matallana-Surget which uncovered the crucial roles of bacteria living on plastic debris. Dr Matallana-Surget has also published a study assessing the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on microscopic seawater bacteria that perform a significant role in ecosystem functioning.
The Herald Scotland
04-07-2025
- Science
- The Herald Scotland
Scientists discover new threat to marine ecosystems: sunscreen
Scientists at the University of Stirling led by Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget carried out the analysis, which is the first to study co-pollution – where plastics in the sea act as carriers for other chemical contaminants, including ultraviolet (UV) filters from sunscreen. Now, Dr Matallana-Surget, an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is appealing to policymakers to take urgent action to tackle what she calls the invisible threat of sunscreen. She said: 'These changes matter. By suppressing the aerobic bacteria that help degrade plastic, and selecting those that stabilise or reinforce the biofilm, UV filters would prolong the life of plastics in the ocean – making them more resistant to breakdown by sunlight or microbes. 'Targeted research and policy interventions are therefore urgently needed to mitigate these compounded ecological threats.' Read More: Plastic waste in the ocean provides a new surface where microbes can grow, forming slimy layers called the plastisphere. As well as forming the plastisphere, plastics also absorb other pollutants, including sunscreens washed off human skin that are insoluble in water, and these can then attach to marine plastic surfaces. Sunscreens, like oil, are hydrophobic – meaning that they do not dissolve in water. This makes them a combined threat, as they can accumulate on plastics and remain in the environment. Scientists have previously studied the role of the plastisphere, but little is known about how additional chemicals such as EHMC affect the microbes living on the plastic. The new study published today (Friday) shows that when plastics are co-contaminated with EHMC, not only do pollutant-degrading bacteria like Marinomonas decline, but bacteria like Pseudomonas develop more proteins that stabilise biofilms and improve their ability to survive. Pseudomonas includes species known for being resilient in polluted environments and for their ability to break down a wide range of contaminants including pesticides, heavy metals and hydrocarbons. However, some Pseudomonas strains are also classified as opportunistic pathogens, capable of causing serious infections that can require antibiotic treatment – raising potential public health concerns that researchers hope will be further investigated. One key finding of the study is the much higher level of a protein called outer membrane porin F (OprF) in Pseudomonas that was exposed to EHMC. This protein plays a crucial role in maintaining the structure of biofilms, protective layers that help bacteria survive hostile environments. Dr Sabine Matallana-Surget (Image: University of Stirling)Researchers also observed a shift toward anaerobic respiration – where cells can generate energy in the absence of oxygen – revealing a complete shift in the microbial metabolism within the plastisphere. The research shows that EHMC could hinder the development of useful aerobic bacteria that help break down plastic pollutants at an early stage, by favouring more stress-tolerant anaerobic biofilm-forming bacteria. Dr Matallana-Surget added: 'The UV-protective properties of EHMC, combined with its suppression of hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria, may indirectly protect plastics from photodegradation and biodegradation, further contributing to their persistence in marine environments. 'This impact, combined with the enrichment of potentially pathogenic bacteria, raises significant concerns for ecosystem stability and human health, particularly in coastal regions with high rates of tourism, and high levels of plastic pollution.' The paper, The Invisible Threats of Sunscreen as a Plastic Co-Pollutant: Impact of a Common Organic UV Filter on Biofilm Formation and Metabolic Function in the Nascent Marine Plastisphere, is published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials. Dr Matallana-Surget led the research in collaboration with Dr Charlotte Lee – who undertook the core experimental work – and Dr Lauren Messer at the University of Stirling, alongside Professor Ruddy Wattiez at the University of Mons in Belgium. The project, which stemmed from Dr Matallana-Surget's initial concept of investigating the emerging double pollution issue, has built on 15 years of joint work between the teams in Stirling and Mons. Research was funded by the UKRI Natural Environment Research Council (NERC) and the National Research Foundation Singapore. It was further supported by the European Regional Development Fund and the Walloon Region, Belgium. It builds on previous research published last year by Dr Matallana-Surget which uncovered the crucial roles of bacteria living on plastic debris. Dr Matallana-Surget has also published a study assessing the impact of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill on microscopic seawater bacteria that perform a significant role in ecosystem functioning.
Perth Now
23-06-2025
- Health
- Perth Now
Doctor urges people to never use their electronic devices whilst on the toilet
People who use their electronic devices on the toilet risk their chance of getting diarrhea and stomach cramps. Fecal bacteria, such as E. coli, and Pseudomonas - which can trigger infections in the blood and lungs - can get onto the smart devices when they are in the bathroom. Even if people wash their hands with soap, the germs can travel back to a person's hands. Therefore, it is recommended that smartphones, tablets or other electronic devices are kept out of the bathroom, and regularly sanitised with alcohol wipes to prevent people from coming into contact with fecal bacteria. Doctor Primrose Freestone, a professor of clinical microbiology at the University of Leicester, told MailOnline: "The phone will at some point get contaminated, so periodically disinfecting your phone is a good idea. "My Nokia gets a disinfectant wipe over twice a week. "Toilet areas adjacent to toilets, because of the toilet spray trajectory, are pretty contaminated. "It does not matter where you go, there will be faecal bacteria on lots of [bathroom] surfaces. "So soaps and taps, toilet and wash basin surfaces, door handles, bath mats – the list is long." Dr. Freestone also said to avoid putting electronic devices on the floor around the toilet because it would - if not disinfected frequently - have traces of faeces." The expert said: "The floor around the toilet will – if not disinfected regularly – have traces of faeces with lots of gut bacteria, which will stay alive for hours and days. "So I would not put your phone on the floor next to the toilet as it is likely to pick up the faeces and the bacteria associated with the waste product."
Time of India
22-06-2025
- Science
- Time of India
BBAU prof facilitates in setting up biofertilizer unit in Himachal
Lucknow: Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar University's (BBAU) environmental science professor Naveen Kumar Arora played a significant role in setting up a biofertilizer production unit and laboratory recently established in Himachal Pradesh. "I provided technical training to the staff of the Manav Vikas Sansthan, Himachal Pradesh, for the development of microbe-based biofertilizers. These biofertilizers have been successfully used over time to increase crop productivity in several villages of Uttar Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand in an eco-friendly manner," said Arora. He further said that, so far, the biofertilizers had been developed and supplied by BBAU to villagers in the three states under a project funded by DST-SEED, ministry of science and technology. But now, with the establishment of the new unit and laboratory at Bilaspur, in collaboration with Manav Vikas Sansthan, production has begun in Himachal Pradesh. "In the developed lab, biofertilizers involving microorganisms such as Trichoderma, Pseudomonas, and Bacillus, along with several other useful microbial strains, will be prepared. These important microbial strains were provided by me to the newly established biofertilizer unit," he added.
Scoop
20-06-2025
- Science
- Scoop
Volcanic Life Under The Microscope: Scientists Identify Optimal DNA Extraction Method For Microbial Research
June 17, 2025 A research team from Skoltech, the Institute of Physical, Chemical, and Biological Problems of Soil Science of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and other scientific organizations in Russia and the U.S. conducted a study of microbial communities living in extreme conditions in the fumarolic fields of the Elbrus (Russia), Ushkovsky (Russia), and Fuji (Japan) volcanoes. The authors discovered the most efficient technique for separating DNA from microbial samples and demonstrated that the microbial communities of every volcanic region are distinct and influenced by the geochemical conditions of their environment. The findings were published in the Nature Scientific Reports journal. Volcanoes are one of the most mysterious and captivating places on Earth. Cracks or openings in the Earth's crust on their slopes and at their bases lead to the release of hot gases and steam. These regions are known as fumarolic fields, forming in zones of volcanic activity where magma heats underground water, converting it into vapor. Despite these harsh conditions, life exists even there — archaea and bacteria thrive on fumaroles with interesting adaptational mechanisms that remain largely unexplored. 'Samples collected from fumaroles represent a highly challenging material for DNA extraction. Meanwhile, thermophilic bacteria capable of surviving at extreme temperatures possess intriguing adaptive strategies. Our study provided the first description of microbial communities inhabiting the fumaroles of Elbrus, Ushkovsky, and Mount Fuji. Samples taken from beneath the snow cover on Elbrus exhibited a soil surface temperature of approximately +22.5°C. Summer collections from the Ushkovsky Volcano yielded specimens from a fumarolic area with a surface temperature reaching up to +68.4°C. Fuji samples consisted of frozen sediment deposits. After collection, all samples were preserved at -20°C,' explained lead author Alla Shevchenko, a PhD student in the Life Sciences program at Skoltech. Researchers used different methods of soil sample pulverization prior to DNA extraction — vertical and horizontal homogenization (mixing). Vertical homogenization proved more effective regarding both DNA yield and detection of archaeal sequences when compared to horizontal homogenization. 'The majority of DNA was extracted via vertical homogenization. Variations in microbial populations correlate with specific features of each volcano. Acidobacteria and Pseudomonas dominate the soils of Elbrus. Ushkovsky fumaroles harbor numerous members of the Crenarchaeota group. Fuji's frozen soil harbors fewer microorganisms overall but retains Actinomyces and additional species of bacteria,' stated Professor Mikhail Gelfand, a study co-author and research supervisor, the vice president for biomedical research at Skoltech. These findings highlight the significance of selecting an optimal methodology for sample preparation, particularly under extreme conditions. Microorganisms residing within fumaroles serve as sensitive indicators of environmental change. Their adaptability mirrors ecosystem responses to factors like temperature, moisture levels, pH values, and heavy metal concentrations. Changes in the structure and composition of bacterial and fungal colonies could be a sign of global warming, thermal regime shifts, and anthropogenic impacts. Note: Skoltech is a private international university in Russia, cultivating a new generation of leaders in technology, science, and business. As a factory of technologies, it conducts research in breakthrough fields and promotes technological innovation to solve critical problems that face Russia and the world. Skoltech focuses on six priority areas: life sciences, health, and agro; telecommunications, photonics, and quantum technologies; artificial intelligence; advanced materials and engineering; energy efficiency and the energy transition; and advanced studies. Established in 2011 in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Skoltech was listed among the world's top 100 young universities by the Nature Index in its both editions (2019, 2021). On the Institute ranks as Russian university No. 2 overall and No. 1 for genetics and materials science. In the recent SCImago Institutions Rankings, Skoltech placed first nationwide for computer science. Website:
